What A Writer Needs, Part 12 – The Sting

You’re probably wondering what the sting is.  It’s not “The Sting” with Paul Newman and Robert Redford pulling a con.  Though you can learn a get deal about setup by watching that movie.

The sting in this reference refers to the most horrible thing you can think of that could hurt or kill your main character (heroine or hero).  Your character needs a secret fear or something in their past that could destroy them.  It’s sort of like a bee sting for someone allergic.  At first, it’s the sharp pain and then it spreads and swells until the pain and suffering becomes unbearable and life-threatening.  Your character in his or her most severe distress feels they can’t breathe, that unless they find help, they will die.

A story fails to have the sting, when the conflict in the story is not developed far enough.  Make sure you challenge your characters to reach new heights and grow as people.  There’s a saying that fits here:  Whatever doesn’t kill you, will make you stronger.

Are you ready to face your character’s sting?  Write your character at his or her most desperate, then go back and make everything worse.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Characters, Emotions, Helping Other Writers, Susan Hanniford Crowley, What A Writer Needs